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Namibian Wildlife Crimes article archive

This archive of published media articles about wildlife crime in Namibia aims to:

  • provide easy public access to published information and statistics
  • enable easy stakeholder access to articles
  • provide a comprehensive archive of wildlife crime reporting in Namibia

Public access to information is a vital component of ensuring community engagement in prevalent issues. Wildlife crime is one of the pressing environmental issues of our time.

Wildlife crime investigations are generally covert operations requiring utmost confidentiality to succeed. Investigations and prosecutions in complex cases may take months or even years to complete. For this reason, the information that can be released to the public without compromising cases is often limited. Nonetheless, the Namibian government strives to share as much information as possible with the public.

The Namibian media has welcomed this approach and regularly publishes statistics and feature articles on wildlife crime. These are entered into the database at regular intervals, creating a comprehensive archive of wildlife crime reporting in Namibia.

Explore your search results using the filter checkboxes, or amend your search or start a new search.

Displaying results 1 - 25 of 25
Friday, 24 February 2023
Reiter C 2023. Wilderei gemeldet.

In der vergangenen Woche wurde ein 69-Jähriger im Dorf Iitatu in der Omusati Region im Besitz von zwei lebender Schildkröten ohne Genehmigung angetroffen. Der Mann wurde verhaftet und soll vor Gericht erscheinen. Am gleichen Tag sollen bekannte Verdächtige auf der Farm Moutonsvlei bei Klein Aub einer Ziege und einem Schaf die Kehle durchgeschnitten haben. Der Wert der Tiere mit mit 6 000 N$ angegeben. Sie wurden nicht festgenommen, da sie vom Tatort fliehen konnten.

Tuesday, 21 February 2023
Tendane S 2023. Crime in brief.

A hippopotamus valued at N$100 000 was killed at Sitinda farm in the Zambezi region on Saturday. According to the police's crime report, the hippo was shot for allegedly destroying the maize fields of the culprit on severa occasions. The suspect was in possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence.

Wednesday, 15 February 2023
Amutenja H-M 2023. MEFT employee nabbed for poaching.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has identified its employee Otto Jan Uirab as the suspect in the poaching incident that occurred last week. He is charged alongside Nedbank employee, Harold Xarageb, and two other suspects Gaeb Franklin and Veldskoendraer Neely. The suspects were arrested on suspicion of illegally hunting a blue wildebeest in the Dan Viljoen Park near Windhoek last week. They have since appeared in the Katutura Magistrate’s court. A case has been opened with the Otjomuise Police station and the suspects were remanded in custody until the May 2023…

Monday, 13 February 2023
Reiter C 2023. Streifengnu im Kofferraum.

Ein Mitarbeiter des Umweltministeriums, zusammen mit drei anderen Verdächtigen, wurde am vergangenen Dienstag an einer Straßensperre zwischen Daan Viljoen und Windhoek verhaftet, nachdem diese mit einem wohlmöglich illegal gejagten Streifengnu im Auto vorgefunden wurden.

An Environment Ministry official, along with three other suspects, were arrested last Tuesday at a roadblock between Daan Viljoen and Windhoek after they were found with what appears to be an illegally hunted blue wildebeest in their car.

Monday, 13 February 2023
Francke R-L 2023. Police arrest man for possession of endangered species, including pangolins.

A Lesotho national is expected to appear in the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court in the North West on Monday for possession of endangered species. During the operation, a search was conducted in a house at Tlakgameng, leading to the discovery of two pangolins, two dead rock pythons and two dead monkeys.

Friday, 10 February 2023
Amutenja H-M 2023. Ministry official arrested for poaching.

An official from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism was amongst three other suspects that were arrested on suspicion of illegally hunting a blue wildebeest in Dan Viljoen Park near Windhoek. "The incident happened on Tuesday at a roadblock between Dan Viljoen and Windhoek. The Ministry condemns the incident particularly, the alleged involvement of a staff member," said the ministry’s spokesperson Romeo Muyunda. They were arrested on Tuesday at the roadblock, west of Windhoek, leading to the game park.

Friday, 10 February 2023
Nakale A 2023. MET official nabbed for alleged poaching.

An environment and tourism official was arrested with three other men for illegally hunting a protected blue wildebeest in the Daan Viljoen game park, west of Windhoek. They were arrested on Tuesday at the roadblock, west of Windhoek, leading to the game park. The suspects, including the official in uniform, were nabbed with a whole carcass of the wildebeest in the boot of their sedan. Blue wildebeest are classified as protected and endangered species in Namibia. The official is said to be stationed at the park as an assistant game ranger for the environment ministry.

Thursday, 9 February 2023
Nakashole P 2023. Environment ministry staff member arrested for alleged poaching.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has announced the arrest of a member of staff, alongside three other people, who allegedly hunted a blue wildebeest at Daan Viljoen.

Thursday, 9 February 2023
Smit E 2023. MEFT-Beamter wegen angeblich Wilderei verhaftet.

Das Umweltministerium hat einen Vorfall verurteilt, bei dem einer seiner Mitarbeiter zusammen mit drei anderen Verdächtigen wegen des Verdachts der illegalen Jagd auf ein Streifengnu im Daan-Viljoen-Park in der Nähe von Windhoek festgenommen wurde. Der Sprecher des Ministeriums, Romeo Muyunda, sagte, der Vorfall habe sich am Dienstag an einer Straßensperre zwischen Daan Viljoen und Windhoek ereignet.

Thursday, 9 February 2023
Omar O 2023. Mozambique swells the ranks of law enforcement teams fighting wildlife crime.

Two hundred kilogrammes of shark fin were seized at Maputo International Airport two weeks ago, but the case is still under investigation and the Director general of Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), Celmira da Silva said he could not provide further details on the subject. Integrity Magazine tried to question who owned the cargo as well as its origin and final destination, but without success.

Thursday, 9 February 2023
Smit E 2023. MEFT official arrested for alleged poaching.

The environment ministry has condemned an incident in which one of its staff members was arrested, together with three other suspects, on suspicion of illegally hunting a blue wildebeest in the Daan Viljoen Park near Windhoek. The spokesperson of the ministry, Romeo Muyunda, said the incident occurred on Tuesday at a roadblock between Daan Viljoen and Windhoek.

Thursday, 9 February 2023
Smit E 2023. Natuurbeamte vas oor beweerde stroping.

'n Beampte van die ministerie van omgewing en toerisme en nóg drie verdagtes is in hegtenis geneem ná hulle vermoedelik 'n blouwildebees onwettig in die Daan Viljoenpark naby Windhoek gejag het. Die woordvoerder van die ministerie, Romeo Muyunda, sê die arrestasies het Dinsdag by die padblokkade tussen Daan Viljoen geskied.

Monday, 30 March 2020
Smit E 2020. 16 arrested for wildlife crimes.

Sixteen suspects have been arrested in recent days in connection with wildlife crimes and six new cases were registered. According to police statistics ten wildlife products were confiscated, and five firearms and one vehicle were seized. The wildlife products included four pieces of elephant ivory, a pangolin skin, two duiker carcasses, an impala carcass and a warthog carcass. On 5 March two Zambians, an Angolan and a Namibian were arrested at Kongola for illegally hunting protected game.

Saturday, 28 March 2020
Evans S 2020. Coronavirus has finally made us recognise the illegal wildlife trade is a public health issue.

There will be few positives to take from coronavirus. But the global pandemic may yet prove to be an important moment in the attempts to address the illegal wildlife trade. The media has generally concentrated on effects rather than causes, in particular the global implications for public health and economies. But it is also vital to unravel the timeline of the pandemic and categorically determine its initial cause.

Thursday, 26 March 2020
Tjitemisa K 2020. Conservancy reinforces security to curb poaching.

In its efforts to boost the much-needed security at the conservancy, N≠a Jaqna conservancy management committee member Lara Diez said they have added 12 new guards to help curb poaching that of late has seen a rapid increase at the park. "Poaching has become an ever-increasing problem and the new game guards will increase vigilance and monitoring in the conservancy. The delicate balance between wildlife management, licensed hunting and the community is disturbed greatly by poaching,” Diez said in a statement yesterday.

Monday, 23 March 2020
Baaitse D 2020. BDF hits at police over poaching incident.

Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Director, Protocol and Public Affairs Colonel Tebo Dikole has this week slammed Botswana Police for talking and discussing BDF operational matters with the media and members of the public.

Monday, 23 March 2020
Moleofe R 2020. BDF should ask China for help with anti-poaching.

The recent death of a BDF soldier has actually disrupted my sequenced Botswana military history write-ups. The death of this Special Forces operative will certainly become a turning point in the way the country has approached the growing problem.It has been almost thirty years since the first Special Forces operative was killed by poachers in the Chobe National Park in 1991. At that time I had just earned my commission as a second lieutenant and we were therefore given a serious briefing on what was going on in the field.

Friday, 20 March 2020
Maphosa V 2020. Just in: 59 poachers arrested.

AT least 59 people have been arrested for poaching by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZIMPARKS) as from January this year to date.

Wednesday, 11 March 2020
Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) 2020. Painting Murals For Conservation Advocacy.

Given Namibia's poaching crisis, an education and awareness advocacy campaign is critical in order to develop strengthened community ownership and responsibility over wildlife.

Wednesday, 11 March 2020
Smit E 2020. Anti-poaching units shine at Etosha.

Significant successes, including the arrest of 63 suspects for wildlife-related crimes, have been recorded by anti-poaching units in the Etosha National Park since February last year. This was revealed during a visit to Etosha by police inspector-general Sebastian Ndeitunga, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta and defence minister Penda Ya Ndakolo last Friday.

Wednesday, 11 March 2020
2020. Soldier, poacher killed in rhino hotspot shootout.

Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldier and a poacher have died during a poaching incident that happened early this morning at Chiefs Island in heart of the Okavango Delta, the army has confirmed.

Tuesday, 10 March 2020
Shikongo A 2020. K9 unit thwarts suspected oryx poachers.

Police reservists at Karibib intercepted a group of poachers, who had killed two oryx at Farm Albrechtshohe, but were only able to apprehend one of the four suspects.

Monday, 9 March 2020
2020. Polizei sucht drei Wildere.

Nachdem zwei Oryx-Antilopen auf einer Farm nahe Karibib geschlachtet wurden, befindet sich ein Tatverdächtiger in Haft, während die Behörden nach drei weiteren Personen fahnden. Das teilte der Polizeisprecher der Erongo-Region, Erastus Iikuyu, jetzt mit.

After two Oryx antelopes have been slaughtered on a farm near Karibib, one suspect is in custody while the authorities search for three more. This was announced by the Erongo region police spokesman, Erastus Iikuyu.

Wednesday, 4 March 2020
Smit E 2020. Six arrested for wildlife crimes.

Six suspects were arrested in connection with wildlife crimes recently and three new cases were opened. This is according to statistics provided by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry and the protected resources unit in the safety and security ministry.

Sunday, 1 March 2020
2020. Collaboration needed to combat wildlife poaching.

Officials in Namibia and Botswana have highlighted the need for increased collaboration in security measures in protected wildlife areas as poaching continues to be a challenge.

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